Intern or Volunteer with a Grassroots Human Rights Organization in Nicaragua

  Nicaragua

Ciudad Sandino,  Jinotepe,  Masaya

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: See FSD Website

Description: Examples of how you can support Human Rights initiatives in Nicaragua:

* Support marginalized women by educating them to better understand their basic human rights and how to assert these rights. The program aims to promote self-efficacy and empower these women so that they may effectively combat intra-familial violence.

*Support the rights of children against mistreatment, abandonment, molestation, abuse, drug dependence and child labor through various education programs.

* Educate local women through a series of workshops about the Nicaraguan Constitution and the laws that benefit and protect women and their families. Provide legal and/or psychological support for victims of intra-familial violence who decide to take legal action.

* Support the lobby of government and legislative authorities about issues and solutions regarding violence against women.

* Assist a social promotion program that addresses communication techniques for the prevention of intra-familial violence and supports the healing of families who've suffered such hardship.

For more human rights opportunities in Nicaragua, visit our website or contact us directly.

About FSD

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

1. Sustainable Development Training Programs for Interns and Volunteers
FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers seeking hands-on experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that reflect sustainable practices.

2. Grantmaking to Projects and Initiatives Led By Our Partner Organizations
Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support projects and initiatives implemented by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

3. Sustainable Development of Community-Based Organizations
Our professional field staff, consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training and capacity building to more than 200 community-based organizations.

Highlights: Development Issues Addressed by FSD in Nicaragua
The history of human rights in Nicaragua is mostly one of mass graves stemming from the legacy of conquest and years of colonialism, tyrannical governments, dictatorships, and civil war. More recently, Nicaragua's guerilla war of the 1980s was and continues to be one of the most pressing human rights issues for the country. In addition to the 50,000 lives that were lost during the actual period of fighting, there are still approximately 76,000 landmines that are left over and continue to kill and maim hundreds. It is of no surprise that current human rights abuses stem largely from the aftermath of war. With few employment opportunities, little land for the returning soldiers, many were driven to desperation.

Besides the effects of war, another one of the most pressing human rights issues in Nicaragua today is that of the discrimination against indigenous peoples, mainly regarding land rights. In addition, there is severe intra-familial violence; abuse against women remains a daily, and potentially deadly, problem. Sweatshop and child labor remain prevalent as Nicaragua contains the second cheapest labor in the western hemisphere.

Education of basic rights needs to be more widespread within the country, as does advocacy and enforcement. FSD emphasizes the need to support and sustain human rights in all areas. By supporting work on projects that local communities determine to be critical, interns and volunteer learn about human rights issues from the perspective of those who are affected. Solutions are applied that legally address rights violations and educate vulnerable populations toward direct action and empowerment.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Depends on Program Selected; See FSD Website

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization and the FSD Site Team. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range: 18-75

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement: FSD supports the efforts of grassroots organizations in the developing world that are working to better their communities, environments, and the economic opportunities around them. We believe community development is only sustainable if it empowers the people to effectively use and cultivate their own resources in a conscious manner. Through our programs, we aim to raise international awareness of the economic challenges in developing countries and to support cross-cultural communities in finding more effective solutions to development issues.

Year Founded: 1995